Libyan leader rejects foreign intervention in Darfur

Mar 14, 2006 (TUNIS) — Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi reiterated on Monday that Libya rejected any foreign intervention in Sudan’s troubled region of Darfur without the permission of the Sudanese government and the African Union (AU), according to news from the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Gadhafi told the press that Libya would bring forward a proposal to peacefully resolve the Darfur conflict in the summit meeting to be attended by Egypt, Sudan and Libya in Cairo next Monday.

He had held talks with Darfur rebel leaders on this issue recently, said Gadhafi, adding that Libya had announced and would reiterate its stance of supporting the Sudanese government in rejecting foreign intervention.

He will urge Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to hold direct talks with rebel leaders, so as to find a proper way to end the conflict.

Gadhafi said the rebel leaders welcomed Bashir as the Sudanese president and agreed to settle the conflict peacefully.

He added that the rebels hoped to maintain Sudan’s territorial integrity on condition that their request of sharing power and wealth is fulfilled.

(Xinhua/ST)